Flashing third brake light - would this be legal? - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

01NightHawk · 02-01-2012, 05:29 PM

I don't know what it is about my car, but i've been rear ended twice now within the past 6 or so months- it's almost like people just don't see my brake lights at all when i'm stopped in traffic (both accidents occurred this way)

I know it's illegal to have any red or blue flashing lights on the front of the vehicle that would be considered imitating a police officer or emergency vehicle - but my question is:

Can I install a slow flashing red light somewhere in my rear bumper (above/in/ or below) that would only go on when I apply my brakes?

May sound a bit odd... but I'm really tired of being hit for the few times I drive this car and am just looking for some alternatives so the rear stands out more when i'm at a stop.

WigWag44 · 02-05-2012, 01:53 PM

Are your taillights tinted or anything? Sounds more like bad luck to me...you'd be surprised just how many people simply don't pay attention while driving.

You're correct, any flashing red or blue light on your vehicle isn't a good idea. However, I know some motorcycle companies have some sort of flasher hooked up to their brakes lights where the light flashes about three times before burning steady when the operator applies the brakes. Have you looked into anything like that?

01NightHawk · 02-05-2012, 07:15 PM

No, my tail lights are not tinted at all. Yeah i can see it being just my luck.... I only have issues when I decide to pull this car out for a nice drive.

I've not looked into any aftermarket lighting components just yet - I considered hooking up a flasher relay or make a small LED light under my rear bumper somewhere that flashes but don't want to push my luck and have issues for "impersonating" a cruiser. I've seen LED strips below truck beds that flash, tow hook odds and ends that flash, and even the steady flash of some Mustang tail lights - that are all red and in the rear of the vehicle. (I know the flashing lights on the mustang tails are really turn signals - but they flash red so it made me start thinking.) Seeing all of those around gave me the idea of trying something similar.

It's not worth trying if I may get pulled over for it (and continue my bad luck streak with this car haha)

02-01-2012, 05:29 PM	#1
01NightHawk Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 302 Member #16827 My Ride: A Honda boat, and civic with fancy badges iTrader: (0)	Flashing third brake light - would this be legal? I don't know what it is about my car, but i've been rear ended twice now within the past 6 or so months- it's almost like people just don't see my brake lights at all when i'm stopped in traffic (both accidents occurred this way) I know it's illegal to have any red or blue flashing lights on the front of the vehicle that would be considered imitating a police officer or emergency vehicle - but my question is: Can I install a slow flashing red light somewhere in my rear bumper (above/in/ or below) that would only go on when I apply my brakes? May sound a bit odd... but I'm really tired of being hit for the few times I drive this car and am just looking for some alternatives so the rear stands out more when i'm at a stop.

02-05-2012, 01:53 PM	#2
WigWag44 [TST] Police Officer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Delaware Member #16486 My Ride: Chevrolet Caprice iTrader: (0)	Are your taillights tinted or anything? Sounds more like bad luck to me...you'd be surprised just how many people simply don't pay attention while driving. You're correct, any flashing red or blue light on your vehicle isn't a good idea. However, I know some motorcycle companies have some sort of flasher hooked up to their brakes lights where the light flashes about three times before burning steady when the operator applies the brakes. Have you looked into anything like that? __________________ Answering all your Delaware law questions...

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02-05-2012, 07:15 PM	#3
01NightHawk Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 302 Member #16827 My Ride: A Honda boat, and civic with fancy badges iTrader: (0)	No, my tail lights are not tinted at all. Yeah i can see it being just my luck.... I only have issues when I decide to pull this car out for a nice drive. I've not looked into any aftermarket lighting components just yet - I considered hooking up a flasher relay or make a small LED light under my rear bumper somewhere that flashes but don't want to push my luck and have issues for "impersonating" a cruiser. I've seen LED strips below truck beds that flash, tow hook odds and ends that flash, and even the steady flash of some Mustang tail lights - that are all red and in the rear of the vehicle. (I know the flashing lights on the mustang tails are really turn signals - but they flash red so it made me start thinking.) Seeing all of those around gave me the idea of trying something similar. It's not worth trying if I may get pulled over for it (and continue my bad luck streak with this car haha)